Page 20 of Deadly Designs

Aja Blue thought about it and nodded slowly. “It’spossible, but I expect he’s having cash flow problems at themoment. He certainly hates me enough to do it, though.”

Christian’s cell beeped, and he checked the screen.“The pizza’s here. Be right back.”

Aja Blue watched as he slid out of the booth andheaded outside. She started to take a drink and realized her glasswas empty. When had she drunk it all? Christian’s, she noticed, wasbarely touched. She refilled her glass and reached for her phone tocheck her messages . . . before realizing she didn’t have one now.What if Jay tried to call and she was unavailable, much like he’dbeen today?

Christian returned with a large white box thatsmelled divine. She found plates and napkins, and they dug in. Shedidn’t indulge often, but the pie was cheesy, gooey, anddelicious.

Between bites, Christian said, “Tell me about yourassistant.”

Thinking of Jay and his disappearing act dampened herappetite. She placed her slice on the plate and dabbed the napkinagainst her mouth. “I haven’t been able to get in touch with himsince I returned from Arizona. I tried calling and stopping by hisplace, but he wasn’t there.”

Christian grabbed another piece. “How many people arein your office?”

“Besides Jay and me, there are three others.”

“Have they heard from him?”

She shook her head. “He took time off when I did.Usually, he’ll check in at least once when he’s out.”

Christian was studying her, and she refused tosquirm. Finally, he said, “Tell me what’s bothering you.”

Dang, he was good at his job and very perceptive. Andwhere did the wine in her glass go? She refilled it. “Jay’s beenreceiving harassing messages.”

Christian’s brows raised. “What kind?”

“Oh, you know, the ‘Eat a bullet, hang by a noose anddie’ kind.”

Christian wiped his fingers on a napkin and gave herhis full attention. “Tell me why.”

“Jay’s a drag performer. He’s fantastic, and I’m surehe could winRuPaul’s Drag Raceif he applied.” She waved ahand. “That’s neither here nor there. When a new club opened, theyhired him to be their spokesperson. He appeared on billboards andads on local television and radio stations.”

“And people took offense.”

“They did. The thing is, Jay didn’t tell me what hewas going through. People have always mocked him, but I didn’t knowhow bad it had gotten. I would’ve never known about the threateningtexts if one hadn’t come through as I was taking him to a clientmeeting.” She sighed. “I guess it’s fair because I didn’t tell himabout the message I received either.”

“You’re getting harassing calls?”

“No, it was in the form of a letter sent to theoffice. It said something along the lines of ‘Fire Jay, or you’llbe sorry,’ although they used demeaning slurs instead of hisname.”

“That’s horrible,” Christian muttered. “Do you stillhave the note?”

“In my office. I figured I should keep it just incase, but I didn’t call the police. Honestly, I thought nothing ofit until I discovered he’d been getting them, too.”

“I’d like to see it in the morning.”

“We also received a package.” She told him about thealtered Ken doll. “That happened right before Jay disappeared.”

“Did you call the police then?”

“I did. Jay took off before they arrived.” She toldhim about Jay’s fear of authorities and how he’d been unlawfullydetained in the past. “That was the last time I saw him.”

“Man, he’s getting harassed from all sides.”

“Tell me about it.”

He took out his cell and handed it to her. “Do youwant to try to call Jay again?”

Tears pricked her eyes at his generosity, and shetook the phone. “Was I that obvious?”

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